Thursday, February 19, 2009

Denver University defenseman Patrick Wiercioch, Ottawa’s second-round draft choice last year, watched his future team play Tuesday night and had a pre-game chat with general manager Brian Murray and assistant general manager Tim Murray.

Wiercioch, 18, is being counted on to be part of the team’s defence at some point, but he’ll need at least another season after this one to develop.

“I’ll see how it goes,” he said.

“I know I have to get a lot bigger and stronger. We’re just going to take it year-by-year and see what the best plan is for me and Ottawa.”

Wiercioch also needs the experience of playing with older players; he’s getting that by playing college hockey here.

Wiercioch will attend the Senators’ development camp this spring, when his season ends (as a college player, he has to pay his own way) and it’s expected that he will be invited to the orientation training camp for Canada’s junior team. He was invited to try for a spot on last year’s did but was cut.

Meanwhile, one of Wiercioch’s teammates, centre and Regina native Tyler Bozak, could be the most sought-after college free agent this year. Many teams, including the Senators, are taking a look at him.

Wiercioch says his teammate is the “full package” and admitted to being in his ear about signing with Ottawa.

Bozak has nothing left to prove at this level. While at DU he's established himself as one of the elite two-way players in all of college hockey. Barring the injury he would almost certainly have been a 1st-team all WCHA pick and in the running for top player overall. I'd also throw him in the mix for the Hobey.

Bozak is one of those players who makes everyone around him better, because he does so many things so well. He reminds me of Stasny in that regard. He'll be greatly missed.